Cops to seek expert opinion on defence gear

In a bid to enhance the efficacy of the defence gear worth crores of rupees purchased in the aftermath of the 26/11 attacks, the Mumbai police will be seeking the opinion of the experts.

In a bid to enhance the efficacy of the defence gear worth crores of rupees purchased in the aftermath of the 26/11 attacks, the Mumbai police will be seeking the opinion of the experts.

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The Hindustan Times had, on May 9, carried a report stating that the gadgets did not function properly.

Currently, a committee — headed by a deputy commissioner of police (DCP) — is conducting a performance audit of the state-of-the-art machines and gadgets (including arms and ammunition).

Rajkumar Vhatkar, DCP, operation, said, “We will be seeking the opinion of the experts to make the necessary corrections and upgrade the gadgets and machines. This will ensure that its utility and performance improves.”

Following the terror strike, the state as well as the Mumbai police had procured several arms and ammunition by scouting across the globe.

Experts had, then, pointed out that many of these weapons, vehicles and gadgets were of military grade and their use by city police was unheard of.

Many of these procurements — such as the waterproof air-conditioning systems in the Marksman (armoured personnel carrier) — have been found to be of inferior quality. The vehicle reportedly breaks down quite often.

The police have purchased 39 Marksman costing around Rs40 lakh each.

Similarly, the Mumbai police does not have a firing range to test the guns from Beretta having an effective range of over 1.5 kilometre. Three of such guns had been purchased at a cost of Rs7 lakh each.